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Bongani Ndlovu  Showbiz Correspondent
THEATRICAL production Umbiko KaMadlenya and dance group Iyasa dominate this year’s National Art Merit Award (Nama) nominee list with Zim dancehall topping the music category.The nominees were unveiled yesterday ahead of the award ceremony on February 14 at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare.

Umbiko kaMadlenya which was a hit at the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo last year was nominated in four categories with veteran actor Memory Kumbota up for Outstanding Actor for his role as Mbiko. The play’s director Nelson Mapako was nominated for the Outstanding Director. The play was also nominated in the Outstanding Theatrical Production category.

Iyasa which was nominated in three categories has its male dancer, Roben Mlauzi nominated in the Outstanding Male Dancer category and female dancer Cheryl Mabaya nominated for Outstanding Female Dancer. The group is also up for the Most Outstanding Dance group award.

Contemporary musician Jah Prayzah who bagged four awards last year was nominated in three categories, Outstanding Album, Music Video and Song of the year. Newcomer and fast rising dancehall musician, Tocky Vibes hit song Mhai earned him three nominations – Outstanding Male Musician, Outstanding Song and Outstanding Album.

Sulumani Chimbetu seems to be a permanent feature in the music category as he is back this year and will be battling it out for the Outstanding Male Award and Outstanding Album Award for his latest offering Gunship.

Bulawayo-based promoter Vusumuzi Siqalaba’s X-MO Squad who organises the famous Kalawa Jazzmee Homecoming party has been nominated for the Outstanding Promoter Award.

In the Spoken Word category Clive Chigubu is up for the Outstanding Comedian Award with counterparts Doc Vikela and Uncle “Zvirikumbofambasei” Ritchie while Sithandazile Moyo was nominated for the Outstanding Poet Award.

In the Literary Arts, renowned writer Raisedon Baya and Christopher Mlalazi edited book Around the Fire – Folktales from Zimbabwe has been nominated for the Outstanding Children’s Book.

In the Film and Television Awards, Philani Nyoni’s new film – Qiniso was nominated in the Outstanding Male Award.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) – Nama organisers said they received 606 entries this year though adjudicators felt the quality of submissions did not portray the actual levels of artistic excellence and innovation.

“It could have been that the artistes faced challenges of resources to enable them to submit adequately packaged entries. NACZ cannot over emphasise the importance of adhering to submission requirements.

“The onus is on the entrant to ensure that adequate and high quality support material is submitted for the awards selection,” NACZ communications officer, Catherine Mthombeni said.